Chapter 36: Blessings
Nightfall was fast approaching and Delia was getting nervous. Aeden told her to expect them back at the camp by sunset, and it was starting to get quite dark in the forest. Her nerves were getting the best of her, and even though she tried to read the romance novel borrowed from Wynne she seemed to reread the same paragraph over and over.
The ducks had finished cooking and Leliana was fussing over them trying to decide the best way to serve the meat to her companions. Trent was looking around. He could tell that Delia was worried, and so he decided to walk the perimeter of the campsite to try to see or hear their wayward friends.
It was Sten who first saw the torch coming towards them. Dusty barked a greeting as soon as he heard Aeden's voice, and before long the four were being welcomed back into the camp. Delia found her way to Wynne first and gave her a warm hug. Next it was Aeden, who earned a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then her eyes found Alistair. He grinned at her and opened his arms, immediately swallowing her up in a hug followed by a kiss. As he hugged her to him, he suddenly was being tapped on the shoulder.
"My good friend, it is my turn, no?" Zevran smiled luridly at Delia. "She has hugged everyone else, now it is time for an Antivan hug and kiss. Delia only deserves the best, don't you agree?"
Alistair frowned at the elf. "No, as a matter of fact I don't agree. Keep your hands to yourself, assassin."
"Oh, you hurt me, my dear Alistair. Perhaps it is that you would rather have Zevran all to yourself? However, I would have thought the Chantry would have taught you it is impolite to not share your toys with others." He wiggled his eyebrows at the Templar, earning a snort of disgust.
Delia laughed and led the four to the fire. Once they sat, she served them the duck that Leliana had so wonderfully prepared. After Leliana had eaten her fill, she tuned her lute and began to play for the entertainment of her friends. Aeden and Alistair were famished after their long day, so it was fortunate that Leliana had been able to catch enough ducks that the two wardens had their own birds.
As soon as the wardens were finished eating, Aeden took Alistair and Delia aside. He told Delia about the mysterious town of Haven and the strange things they discovered. She was shocked when they told her about the sacrificial altar found in one of the houses in the village and the townspeople's attacks, but what truly horrified her was the way the inhabitants twisted the worship of the Maker into a bizarre religion that believed Andraste had risen from the dead as a dragon. She was relieved that her companions were able to defeat the leader of the crazed cult and had returned safely, but was very sad to learn that the fate of most of Arl Eamon's knights was death at the hands of the demented fanatics.
Delia was also relieved to learn that Brother Genitivi was alive and healing, thanks to Wynne's attending to his leg which was injured by the leader of the cultists. Alistair described the abandoned Temple of Andraste, with all of its Tevinter architecture and symbolism. Delia wanted to see it for herself. She pictured the descriptions of the books she studied in school. There had only been a few Tevinter ruins in Antiva that were close enough to her school to visit, but she remembered the excitement she shared with her teachers when the latest ruins had been discovered. Oh, if she could have a chance to study this temple! Unfortunately, with the Blight threatening the country, she couldn't afford to spend the time in an intense study. Inwardly she sighed and wished that she might be able to revisit the ruins after the Blight was defeated.
Aeden noticed that Delia's attention had drifted away, so he poked her in the arm. "Hey, we're over here. We still have a very important place to go before we can return to Redcliffe."
"Where is that, Aeden? I thought if the ashes weren't found in the temple they must not exist."
Aeden and Alistair both looked at her with knowing smiles on their faces. "Wait, you two are looking at me like the cat that swallowed the pigeon…"
Alistair laughed and pushed Aeden. "See, I told you and Wynne that the cat swallowed a pigeon and not a canary!"
Aeden returned his laugh and turned back to Delia. "Well, there is yet another building that we have to visit tomorrow. It is called The Gauntlet, and it is guarded by an ancient warrior named The Guardian. He is sworn to protect the ashes of Andraste until the fall of the Tevinters. We need you to go there with us because there will be traps and riddles that we need to solve to earn the right to visit the ashes. You know more about the Tevinters than anyone else in our little party, and so I think you are the only one who can get us through to the ashes."
Delia's mouth gaped open. "Ancient Tevinter riddles? And traps?"
Alistair chuckled and looked at Aeden. "Didn't I tell you? The way to Delia's heart is through her brain."
Delia punched him in his arm and pretended to be angry as Alistair grabbed his arm in mock pain.
"I can't believe you would hurt me!" he whined.
"Alistair, you are too much sometimes!" She leaned over to kiss him on his cheek, but he shifted his head at the last moment so that her lips landed on his. As she pulled away he grinned a lopsided grin her way, earning a smile in return from her.
Delia then shifted her attention back to Aeden. "So, does that mean we go to The Gauntlet at first light?"
He nodded. "Yes, I would like to get there as early as possible. I have no idea how long it will take for us to get through to the ashes, and if there is any way we can get back on the road to Redcliffe tomorrow I think it would be for the best."
Both Delia and Alistair agreed, and the three decided to get to sleep. They would leave for The Gauntlet as early as possible. The only other person they wanted to bring with them was Wynne, as they didn't know if her healing abilities would be important. Aeden volunteered to talk to Wynne and suggested the other two get to sleep. All three stood to walk back to the camp fire, but Delia remembered something important she needed to talk to them about. She asked them to sit back down.
"Um… I learned something very important today."
Both men looked at her in surprise. Alistair was the first to speak. "But your day should have been dull and restful. What happened?"
She recounted everything Ser Trent had confessed to her, earning a look of compassion from Aeden and relief from Alistair.
"So, he isn't interested in you, he wants to protect you." Alistair smiled at her warmly.
"Well, he is my father. It's interesting, though, because he is so unsure of himself now that he's told me. He seems to really care about what I feel about him." She grinned wistfully. "I wish my mother had been permitted to marry him. She would have been so much happier."
Aeden leaned forward and gave her a hug. "You would have been too. I'm happy for you. Now, I had best go talk to Wynne before she retires for the night. Sleep well, my sister."
She smiled at him as he walked away. Alistair was running his hand through his hair, as he would do whenever he was nervous about something.
"Delia, may I ask you something?"
"What do you want to know?"
"Well… will this change anything between us? Now that… your father… you know…"
Delia chuckled from deep in her chest. "Not a chance, Alistair. I won't allow it. I… care… too much for… I mean about you." She blushed a deep shade of crimson as she lowered her eyes.
Alistair kissed her forehead gently. "Good to know. Now… I suppose we should get some sleep. Don't want to keep the commander waiting in the morning you know!"
He stood and held out his arm to her. She stood and took his arm, allowing him to escort her to her tent.
Morning couldn't arrive fast enough for Delia. She woke before the sunrise, and although she tried to catch some more sleep she just couldn't. The excitement of seeing an unexplored Tevinter ruin was overwhelming! As soon as the first beams of light illuminated her tent she happily dressed and started the breakfast preparations. The oatmeal was nearly ready when her wardens stumbled out of their tents, both yawning furiously. The three of them happily ate the hot food. Delia had used some cinnamon to season the oatmeal, and the spice helped to clear their sinuses of the morning chill. Wynne joined them soon after and after her first spoon of the gooey mush she commented on how wonderful it tasted which earned her a short lecture on various spice combinations that worked well in oatmeal to make it more interesting to the palette.
Before they left, Leliana and Sten were made aware of their plans for the day. The short journey to The Gauntlet was uneventful, and they reached the deserted building rather quickly. They were careful once they made their final approach to the structure because the dragon the cultists idolized was asleep atop the peak of the mountain.
As they entered the building, Delia's eyes were as wide as dinner plates. All around them were carvings in the stones that told of Andraste's life. Statues of the prophetess lined the walls. Despite some spider webs, the building was in pristine condition. Delia whispered a prayer to the Maker and Andraste that she would be worthy of finding the way to the ashes, and then her eyes saw The Guardian.
He was a tall man with dark hair, styled in the manner of the ancient Tevinters. His armor was highly polished silverite, and the helm was an elaborate style that Delia had never seen before. He bid them welcome and explained that he had been given the task of protecting Andraste's sacred ashes as well as preparing the way for faithful pilgrims who would come to pay their respects. The Gauntlet was created to separate the true pilgrims from the false, and they would have to truly understand Andraste's life path in order to reach the urn.
Just as the foursome was about to undertake the challenge, the Guardian asked them to remain for a moment.
"Before you go, there is something I must ask." He turned to Aeden. "I see the path that led you here was not easy. There is suffering in your past – your suffering and the suffering of others. You abandoned your father and mother leaving them in the hands of Rendon Howe, knowing he would show them no mercy. Do you think you failed your parents?"
Aeden swallowed his pain down. "No, they made me go."
The Guardian raised an eyebrow. "Then you do not dwell on past mistakes – neither yours, nor someone else's."
The pain on Aeden's face was more than apparent. Delia squeezed his arm in support, earning a sorrowful smile from her friend. The Guardian next questioned Alistair, asking if things would have been better if he had followed Duncan onto the battlefield. The wound created by Duncan's death was ripped open yet again, and it took all of Alistair's strength to not give in to his misery. Wynne was the Guardian's next target. He asked if she ever doubted her own beliefs, to which she answered that only a fool would be completely certain of himself.
Delia looked at the ancient warrior and was terrified of what he would ask. The Guardian turned to her, and actually looked sad as he asked his question.
"And you, Delia. You mourn the loss of your mother and brother. Do you put the blame of their losses on your grandfather? Had he allowed your mother to marry her true love, your life would have been completely different. Was he too harsh on your mother? Did his treatment of her destroy what your life should have been?"
Although tears formed in her eyes, her answer was strong. "My life would have been completely different, this is true. However, my life is the way the Maker intended it to be. One must accept the worst parts of their life in order to truly appreciate the best parts. I believe the Maker has a plan for each of us, and there are many lessons He intends for me to learn."
The Guardian nodded and moved aside. "The way is open. Good luck, and may you find what you seek."
The large door behind The Guardian opened, and the four walked slowly into the next room. Inside the room were eight people who were instrumental in Andraste's life. Each had a riddle for the party to solve, which Delia was able to answer with ease. The door to the next room opened, revealing four more spirits.
The first spirit was Teryn Bryce Cousland. Aeden was shocked to see him, and tears fell from his eyes. The spirit comforted his son, and gave him an amulet as a reminder of how much his parents believed in him. The second spirit was King Maric. He smiled upon his son and apologized for Eamon's treatment of him, explaining that Eamon was supposed to raise him as his own and give him the life of a lesser noble. Alistair's feelings for his father were softened as the spirit told him how proud he was of his son, and how he knew in his heart that Alistair was destined for greatness.
The spirit that appeared for Wynne was that of the First Enchanter Edwyn, Irving's predecessor. He had been her mentor in the Tower until his death. He apologized to Wynne for something precious he had taken from her, saying she would find it again before long. Tears actually fell onto her cheeks, something Delia never thought she would see.
The final spirit to approach was Delia's grandfather. He had been a tall, striking man, with ginger red hair. A soft smile was on his face as he turned to his granddaughter.
"My darling girl, I know you have discovered the secret of your birth. I am relieved that you haven't judged me harshly. You have no idea how I have judged myself. You and your brother deserved so much more, as did your mother. I loved you all so very much, and I believed what I forced upon your mother was for her own best interests. You have become a strong, intelligent person, and I am more than proud of how you continue to improve yourself. Your gift is getting stronger as you become more accomplished in your other pursuits. Use it wisely, dear girl, and protect those whom you love." His gaze moved to Alistair and then back to his granddaughter. "Also, I have learned from my mistake with your mother. Marry for love, my pet. Marry someone who will cherish you, as I always cherished I have learned from my mistake with your mother. Marry for love, my pet. Marry someone who will cherish you, as I always cherished you and your brother."
With his last word, he disappeared along with the other spirits, leaving the four shaken. They took a moment to compose themselves before continuing into the next room.
This room was meant to cleanse themselves by battling against their very impure natures. The battle against spirit images of themselves was extremely difficult, but they succeeded and moved to the next room.
A puzzle presented itself in the room. As they stepped onto certain stones, parts of a bridge appeared over a deep chasm in the floor. Delia figured out which stepping stones would create different parts of the bridge, and she directed her friends to move to specific places to create the correct bridge piece at the correct time for her to cross the chasm. As soon as she set foot on the far side, all the pieces of the bridge appeared and her friends joined her before she entered the final room.
A line of fire crossed from one side of the room to the other. The four couldn't hope to cross the fire without suffering lethal burns. Delia looked around the room for a clue. A small altar stood in front of the fire, and carved into its face, in ancient Tevinter, were the words, "Cast off the trappings of worldly life and cloak yourself in the goodness of spirit. King and slave, lord and beggar; be born anew in the Maker's sight."
Delia blushed yet again. As she translated the words for her party, Alistair looked at her, confused. "So… what is it exactly we have to do?"
Wynne laughed at him. "Young man, we have to strip naked and walk through the flames."
"What? We have to… together? I mean… see each other… like that? Oh, Maker, how can we do this?"
Aeden took his arm. "Well, we start by taking off all of our armor. Come on, it won't be so bad. You'll survive, my friend."
The four took off their clothes and stood in a straight line, each as naked as the day they were born. They were all embarrassed and tried to keep their eyes to themselves, and no one wanted to take the first step through the fire. Delia took a deep breath, knowing someone had to expose themselves to the flame if they were to save Eamon, and she took a confident step through the fire.
The Guardian immediately reappeared. "You have been through the trials of the Gauntlet; you have walked the path of Andraste, and, like Her, you have been cleansed. You have proven yourself worthy, pilgrim."
The other three followed her through the fire, then the fire cleared and they hurriedly redressed. Alistair's mind was a jumble of thoughts. "Maker give me strength. I've seen her, naked! Somehow I have to put the vision of her behind me… she has a beautiful behind… NO! Stop that! I can't think this way. She is a lady of virtue, and I must control myself…"
Delia was in a daze of her own. In front of her was a huge altar with steps leading to an enormous golden urn containing the ashes of the Prophet Andraste. Slowly she walked up the steps and kneeled in front of the urn. Carefully she removed the lid and after saying a prayer of thanks to Andraste, took a pinch of the ashes and placed them in a small leather bag. Then she closed the lid, said a prayer of thanks to the Maker, stood and walked back down the steps. She was visibly shaking as she walked up to Alistair, nearly collapsing in his arms as she cried on his shoulder.
Each one of the group was overcome with emotion. The experience had been difficult, but more rewarding than anything that had ever happened to them before. As they left the building, they each felt as though the Maker had not only blessed them, but found them to be worthy of all the difficult tasks they had yet to face. Somehow they each felt stronger, and more determined than ever to unite the land under Alistair's rule and defeat the darkspawn horde that, even as they returned to their camp, was growing stronger by the second.